wenzani?
wenzani? is how to say "what are you doing" in Ndebele.
Meaning: what are you doing (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built around the root -enza, which means to do or to make.
Did you know?
- While the phrase literally translates to 'what are you doing', it is often used as a standard greeting when arriving at a house, similar to 'what's up?' in English.
- Ndebele shares the root -enza with Zulu, its close linguistic relative. This means wenzani? is almost identical in both languages, making them mutually intelligible in this context.
- If you are speaking to someone much older or in a position of authority, using the standard wenzani? might be considered too direct or even disrespectful without adding honorifics.
Examples in context
- Sawubona! Uyenzani, Mama?Hello! What are you doing, Mama?
Example conversation
Sipho sees Sibusisiwe busy in the garden.
- SiphoSibusisiwe, wenzani?Sibusisiwe, what are you doing?
- SibusisiweNgikhulula izihlahla.I am weeding the plants.
- SiphoNgicela ukukusiza.I want to help you.
- SibusisiweNgiyabonga, Sipho.Thank you, Sipho.
